Disney Junior announced that Sofia the First, cable TV's #1 series among Kids 2-5, will expand to a daily telecast and kick off the multi-platform Pirate and Princess Summer programming event beginning Monday, June 10. The series, starring Disney's first little girl princess, will air weekdays at 9:30 a.m. ET/PT and weekends at 8:30 a.m. ET/PT on Disney Channel and weeknights at 7:00 p.m. and weekends 5:30 p.m. on Disney Junior.

All summer long, new episodes of Sofia the First and hit series Jake and the Never Land Pirates will alternate with Friday premieres Friday, June 14 – Friday, August 23 on both Disney Channel (9:00 a.m. ET/PT) and Disney Junior (5:00 p.m. ET/PT). Authenticated pay TV subscribers can watch the shows a week in advance on WATCHDisneyJunior.com and via the WATCH Disney Junior apps for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. WATCH Disney Junior delivers a live feed of the network online and to mobile devices, as well as on demand episodes of popular shows. Currently, the service is available on Comcast, Cablevision, Cox Communications, Charter Communications, Midcontinent Communications and AT&T U-verse.

The Pirate and Princess Summer event takes place across all Disney Junior digital platforms including Disney Junior On Demand, WATCH Disney Junior and iTunes, as well as an immersive online super-site on DisneyJunior.com featuring new episode specific activities and games to "unlock" each week with a special token showcased during each episode premiere. Beginning Friday, June 14, parents and caregivers can log on to DisneyJunior.com/Summer and upload the photos of their child dressed as a pirate or princess for the chance to be featured as the "Pirate/Princess of the Day" on Disney Junior.

Among the premieres are an episode of Sofia the First featuring Princess Jasmine, Friday, June 14 (9:30 a.m. ET/PT); Jerry O’Connell guest starring as a pirate genie in search of a treasure wishing well on Jake and the Never Land Pirates, Friday, June 14; Jane Kaczmarek and Teri Hatcher recur in the roles Red Jessica and Beatrice Le Beak, respectively on "Jake and the Never Land Pirates," Friday, June 21; Viola Davis guest starring as Sofia's energetic Buttercup troop leader on Sofia the First, Friday, July 26; and Megan Mullally guest stars as Miss Nettle, a new fairy teacher who Sofia quickly learns is up to no good, on Sofia the First, Friday, August 23. All airtimes are 9:00 a.m. ET/PT unless otherwise noted.

Also this summer, a full Sofia the First product line including apparel, home décor, toys and much more will launch at major retailers nationwide for the first time, along with an expanded product line for Jake and the Never Land Pirates.

Source: Disney Junior

Jennifer Wolfe is Director of News & Content at Animation World Network.